Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help.......trex wont fit

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:24 PM
  #1  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default Help.......trex wont fit

Just puttin it in dot to dot and its hitting the valves, i have no clearance at all i cant even turn the motor over or it will bend a valve. What are you guys doing to get these to fit??????????????/ Is anyone running these with no problems on clearance????? I have a stock 01 ta with stock heads rockers etc. Whats going on?????????????????????
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:51 PM
  #2  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

just checked the exhaust valve and its hittin too, wtf? something aint right????
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:53 PM
  #3  
2000_SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 0
From: Webb City, MO...out in the garage
Default

pushrods too long?
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:53 PM
  #4  
TooLateVTEC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 2
From: FredVegas, Va
Default

As far as I know, people have used those cams without flycutting.

So that means either your pistons stick outta the hole moreso than other LS1's, your push rods are too long, etc.

What head gaskets are you using and how thick are they?

What timing chain are you using? Is it adjustable at all, as far as advancing or retarding the cam? If so, are you 100% SURE its installed staight up? This could be the case, as it sounds like the cam may be installed advanced a few degrees which would make the intake valve open sooner.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #5  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

7.400 pushrods. Something is screwed up here, i should have some clearance on the exhaust side atleast? I checked and double checked to make sure i wasnt off a tooth and im not, its dot to dot?? im lost
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #6  
smokin2002's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Default

lol the trex is a healthy stick, it comes with all kinds of pisto to valve clearnce warnings,

are your dots pointed towards each other or when your crank dot is up the cam gear dot faces up as well? easy mistake to do,
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:58 PM
  #7  
2000_SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 0
From: Webb City, MO...out in the garage
Default

head gaskets too thin? heads milled?
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 02:58 PM
  #8  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

Originally Posted by TooLateVTEC
As far as I know, people have used those cams without flycutting.

So that means either your pistons stick outta the hole moreso than other LS1's, your push rods are too long, etc.

What head gaskets are you using and how thick are they?

What timing chain are you using? Is it adjustable at all, as far as advancing or retarding the cam? If so, are you 100% SURE its installed staight up? This could be the case, as it sounds like the cam may be installed advanced a few degrees which would make the intake valve open sooner.
its a completly stock motor, so the headgaskets are factory. Its a stock timing chain and yes im 100% sure its in right, we even put in in at 180 out to make sure we were right. and like i said im running 7.400 pushrods, i also tried the factory pushrod and got the same results
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 3, 2009 | 03:12 PM
  #9  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Maybe the grind is wrong, who did you get it from?
You should degree the cam, that will tell you the story.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 03:14 PM
  #10  
TooLateVTEC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 2
From: FredVegas, Va
Default

Damn man, I just realized (after I thought your last name sounded familiar) that you are the guy with the blue Firebird from the brothers PINKS episode, my favorite one of all. So I know your no newb when it comes to motors.

I know its not what you want to hear man, but it really sounds like the pistons need flycutting to me. I wouldve thought the exhaust valve wouldve cleared b/c of it being smaller but if its hitting as well...thats not good.

As much as I hate to say it, I think its time to pull a head off and put some silly puddy on the piston and check to make 100% sure its hitting.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 03:26 PM
  #11  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Originally Posted by smokin2002

are your dots pointed towards each other or when your crank dot is up the cam gear dot faces up as well? easy mistake to do,
Really? How would you fix that?
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 04:06 PM
  #12  
TooLateVTEC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 2
From: FredVegas, Va
Default

Originally Posted by 2xLS1
Really? How would you fix that?
Un bolt the cam gear, take it off, put the dowel pin on the cam through the hole on the gear and turn the cam until the dots line up pointing to each other, bolt it back up.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 04:19 PM
  #13  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Are the lifters bled down? If the lifters are still in from the pre-swap cam, they may be pumped up too high at this point. Like Predator said, I would degree the cam without pushrods in and find out what is going on.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:17 PM
  #14  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

got the cam used from a tech memeber, and the box says 244 250 on top and on the side its says 242 248 with the lift being 611 614 and ground on a 109.5. Im not sure guys this should not be hitting this bad, and the guy i got it from had it in a stock headed car also???????????/ im confused.

Yes i have the blue firebird from pinks, its sitting in the garage next to the ta,lol.

And yes the dots are pointing together, i did not have th cam gear dot on top its on the bottom meeting the crank gear dot.

as far as the lifters, that could be i guess BUT i have done cams before in these cars (none this big but) and had no problems with the lifters bleed down then.

Guess ill just have to trade this for something else
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #15  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

Originally Posted by TooLateVTEC
Damn man, I just realized (after I thought your last name sounded familiar) that you are the guy with the blue Firebird from the brothers PINKS episode, my favorite one of all. So I know your no newb when it comes to motors.

I know its not what you want to hear man, but it really sounds like the pistons need flycutting to me. I wouldve thought the exhaust valve wouldve cleared b/c of it being smaller but if its hitting as well...thats not good.

As much as I hate to say it, I think its time to pull a head off and put some silly puddy on the piston and check to make 100% sure its hitting.
its not worth it to me to take the heads off, ill just get a smaller cam. this is just my street play toy and i dont want to get too radical with it,lol i know, why buy that cam them???? well i just wanted that trex sound. lol
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:29 PM
  #16  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Originally Posted by TooLateVTEC
Un bolt the cam gear, take it off, put the dowel pin on the cam through the hole on the gear and turn the cam until the dots line up pointing to each other, bolt it back up.
You want to think about that for a minute?
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:30 PM
  #17  
87silverbullet's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,873
Likes: 8
From: Slidell,LA
Default

Originally Posted by 9secbird
got the cam used from a tech memeber, and the box says 244 250 on top and on the side its says 242 248 with the lift being 611 614 and ground on a 109.5. Im not sure guys this should not be hitting this bad, and the guy i got it from had it in a stock headed car also???????????/ im confused.

Yes i have the blue firebird from pinks, its sitting in the garage next to the ta,lol.

And yes the dots are pointing together, i did not have th cam gear dot on top its on the bottom meeting the crank gear dot.

as far as the lifters, that could be i guess BUT i have done cams before in these cars (none this big but) and had no problems with the lifters bleed down then.

Guess ill just have to trade this for something else

I think you have the wrong cam. the trex is 608/612 lift. Just call Thunder tomorrow and ask them but I am sure that as long as you have stock heads there is no ptv issue.
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:35 PM
  #18  
Zach79Z's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Ringgold, GA
Default

Originally Posted by 9secbird
its not worth it to me to take the heads off, ill just get a smaller cam. this is just my street play toy and i dont want to get too radical with it,lol i know, why buy that cam them???? well i just wanted that trex sound. lol
Vindicator my friend
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:56 PM
  #19  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

Originally Posted by Zach79Z
Vindicator my friend
which one??
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 05:58 PM
  #20  
9secbird's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters,Mo
Default

Originally Posted by 87silverbullet
I think you have the wrong cam. the trex is 608/612 lift. Just call Thunder tomorrow and ask them but I am sure that as long as you have stock heads there is no ptv issue.
the end of the cam says trex and its engraved. I think its the right cam but i think there all a little different grinds. The cam card i have is from a cam doctor so its exact specs, im sure if you exactly spec the trexs they will all be a little different. i guess i just got a big one,lol i dont know, im pissed though, wasted a hole day on this no i need alot of these
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:06 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE